The Boeing 737 Max, which has been grounded for nearly 20 months following two crashes that killed a total of 346 people, is likely to be ungrounded by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) by Nov. 18.
FAA Administrator Steve Dickson told Reuters that the agency was “in the final stages of reviewing proposed changes” the grounded aircraft and expects to complete the process in the “coming days.” A decision on approving the jet’s return to the skies is likely as early as Nov 18, the news agency reported.
“The FAA continues to engage with aviation authorities around the world as they prepare to validate our certification decision,” Dickson said. “Even though we are near the finish line, I will lift the grounding order only after our safety experts are satisfied that the aircraft meets certification standards.”
FAA approval does not guarantee that the aircraft will be cleared to fly in other parts of the globe be. While some regulatory agencies, including the European Union Aviation Safety (EASA) are satisfied with the safety measures that Boeing has introduced in the aircraft and are close to approving the plane’s return to service before the end of the year, China’s aviation body is yet to set a timetable for the plane’s return to service.
It will take some weeks after FAA approval for carriers to resume flying the aircraft. Airlines have to complete software updates introduced by Boeing and approved by FAA, as well as fresh pilot training, before they can schedule flights with the aircraft.
Although the FAA is yet to approve the aircraft’s return to service, American Airlines has already put the Boeing 737 Max back on its schedule for the end of December. The airline is set to use the aircraft on the New York LaGuardia-Miami International route from Dec. 29 to Jan. 4. The carrier is planning to introduce additional routes once the plane is officially certified.
The largest MAX operator, Southwest Airlines, isn’t in a rush to bring back the aircraft. The airline anticipates taking several months to comply with the FAA requirements and will not schedule flights on the aircraft until the second quarter of 2021.
The grounding of the aircraft has cost Boeing billions, affected its supply chain and also resulted in a loss of face after investigators faulted the plane maker for compromising on safety in its rush to build and sell the aircraft. The FAA also came in for a lot of criticism for weak oversight during the jet’s development.
Boeing, which stopped production of the beleaguered jet in December last year, has since resumed production but at a lower rate. It has also slashed thousands of jobs as it already has about 450 already-built 737 MAX planes in storage. Many carriers around the world have in recent months either cancelled orders or delayed the induction of new Max aircraft.
Korean Air is set to open a new daily route connecting Seoul Incheon with Macau starting 1 July 2024, as…
Qatar Airways Cargo announced the opening of its advanced Animal Centre and the relaunching of its Next Generation Live product…
All Nippon Airways (ANA) and Air India, India's national flag carrier, have established a commercial agreement to initiate a codeshare…
Saab has completed the delivery of another GlobalEye Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft to the United Arab Emirates…
In what seems to be a continuation of Vietnam’s Defence Minister General Phan Van Giang's visit to South Korea in…
GD Helicopter Finance (GDHF), a Dublin-based helicopter leasing and finance company, has secured a contract with Airbus Helicopters and GDAT,…
Indian Low-Cost Carrier (LCC) IndiGo has announced a firm order for 30 Airbus A350-900 aircraft in what is its first…
Racer demonstrator, developed by Airbus Helicopters as part of the European Research Clean Sky 2 initiative, has completed its inaugural…
Lockheed Martin Australia has secured an AUD$500 million contract with the Australian Department of Defence to develop the country’s future…
Artemis Aerospace has announced the addition of a hub in Singapore following the launch of two similar sites in the…
ZeroAvia announced plans to offer key components from its hydrogen-electric engines to fellow innovators in the clean aviation industry on…
Challenge Group has announced the launch of Challenge Technic's specialised A-CHECK line at its hangar facility in Hannover on Wednesday…
Korean Air, alongside Hyundai Motor Company, Korea Telecom (KT), Incheon International Airport Corporation (IIAC), and Hyundai Engineering & Construction, has…
Mayman Aerospace is set to unveil a full-scale model of its high-speed Air Utility Vehicle (AUV), Razor, during SOF Week…
TEKEVER, a provider of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) in Europe, introduced its newest drone the ARX in San Diego, U.S.…
Viasat and uAvionix have teamed up to enhance global communication services for Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), with uAvionix joining Viasat’s…
Korean Air and WestJet have extended their codeshare agreement to provide additional transpacific travel options for passengers on Monday (Apr.…
China Eastern Airlines has reached an agreement with Amadeus concerning international NDC distribution, marking a significant development for both parties.…
Singaporean officials have launched an Invincible-class submarine for the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) at thyssenKrupp Marine Systems (tKMS) shipyard…
Ten died following a midair collision between an AW139 helicopter and a Fennec helicopter belonging to the Royal Malaysian Navy…
Integrated Surveillance and Defense (ISD) has been awarded a contract by the U.S. Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD),…
ST Engineering AirX (AirX), a joint venture between ST Engineering and Peluca (formerly known as Wigetworks), have announced a strategic…
WestJet Cargo is strengthening its flights between Calgary and Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG). The route will operate 5-7 times…
Embraer delivered 25 jets in 1Q24, an increase of 67% compared to the 15 aircraft delivered in 1Q23. Executive Aviation…
Harbour Air, North America's largest seaplane airline, has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) to purchase 50 magni650 electric engines,…
Emirates President Sir Tim Clark has apologised to customers for the disruptions caused by the severe weather that battered Dubai…
The Indonesian Navy (TNI Angkatan Laut - TNI AL) aims to enhance its operational capabilities between 2025 and 2044 with…
The Philippine Armed Forces (PAF) took delivery of the first India-made BrahMos land-based anti-ship missile system at Clark Air Base…
The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) ordered six Airbus H145 helicopters as part of its efforts to update its rotary…
The Brazilian aerospace company, Embraer, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with AICAT (Austrian Industrial Cooperation & Aviation Technology) to…
Headquartered in Singapore with reporters spread across all major regions, GBP Aerospace & Defence is a leading media house that publishes three publications that serve the aerospace and defence sector - Asian Defence Technology, Asian Airlines & Aerospace and Daily News. Known industry-wide for quality journalism, GBP Aerospace & Defence is present at more international tradeshows and exhibitions than any other competing publication in the region.
For over three decades, our award-winning team of reporters has been producing top-notch content to help readers stay abreast of the latest developements in the field of commercial aviation, MRO, defence, and Space.
Copyright 2024. GBP. All Rights Reserved.
Home Defence & Security Space Commercial Aviation Maintence Repair & Overhaul Daily News Events About Us
2024 GBP all rights reserved.